Heritage for PeaceHERITAGE FOR PEACE: We believe that cultural heritage is a common ground for dialogue and a tool to build peace. Thus, we support heritage workers in the protection of cultural heritage for future generations.

Damage to Syria’s heritage – 29 March 2018

Damage to Syria’s Heritage

29 March 2018

This newsletter provides a summary of the most recent reports on the damage to Syria’s heritage. It should be stressed that much of this data cannot be verified, but it is hoped that it will assist in the documentation of the damage occurring, and help raise awareness. Heritage for Peace have released a statement concerning their stance on data recording, available here.

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On Friday, March 16, Isber Sabrine from Heritage for Peace gave a talk at the International University of Peace in Barcelona under the title “Cultural heritage as a tool for peace. In this talk he presented the work of the NGO on the protection of Syria’s cultural heritage and how the NGO used Syria’s cultural heritage as a tool for peace building and dialogue in the Syrian conflict. See details here.

Members of the Directorate conducted a preliminary assessment of the damage to the archaeological site of Mari. Here are new photos of the damage.

Damage to the World Heritage Site of Brad

The DGAM report damage to the site Brad / Barad, one of the Villages in the World Heritage Ancient Villages of Northern Syria. The report is available here. Photos have also been shared by the Idlib Museum here, and a video is available here.

Damage at al Nabi Houri in the Afrin region

A video by Al-Jazeera shows the situation at the site of al Nabi Houri, dated to 26 February 2018: it shows no destruction at the Site. See it here.

Updates on Looting

New research on illegal excavation and trade of Syrian cultural objects is free to download

The research by Neil Brodie and Isber Sabrine “The Illegal Excavation and Trade of Syrian Cultural Objects” is now available free to download from the Journal of Field Archaeology here.

A paper by Katie Paul “Ancient Artifacts vs. Digital Artifacts: New Tools for Unmasking the Sale of Illicit Antiquities on the Dark Web” is free to download from Special Issue Advances in Art Crime Research here.

Syria accuses Israel and Turkey of smuggling artifacts

In an official complaint filed with the UN Security Council, Syria has accused Turkish and Israeli intelligence services of stealing ancient artifacts from a historic synagogue in Damascus. See more information here.

Traders suspected of selling ISIS Antiquities detained

Spanish police are holding two men suspected of trading in antiquities looted by groups linked to Islamic State, the first publicly announced detentions by Western authorities working to dismantle the terrorist group’s trade in plundered art. Read more in the Wall Street Journal here.

Intangible Heritage

None

Reports and Updates from the Syrian People

New training for DGAM staff on preventative conservation techniques
Experts from the HTW Berlin Cultural Heritage Programme offered a 5-day training course on preventive conservation techniques for Syrian conservators and curators at the UNESCO Field Office Beirut. The course, which was funded by Gerda Henkel Stiftung, focused on documentation, monitoring as well as packing / transport / storage methods.

Lectures were combined with hands-on demonstrations and case studies. The 12 participants are all in charge of safeguarding heritage collections, which had to be packed and evacuated hastily. The course aimed to help Syrian colleagues to minimize risks, and reduce harmful storage situations for the time being. See more information here.

DGAM sign MoU with Russia for heritage support

A memorandum of understanding was signed in Moscow between the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums and the Foundation for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage “Palmyra”. It aims at providing the necessary support in the field of restoration and rehabilitation of Syrian archaeological sites and cultural property in the framework permitted by the laws and regulations of the two countries by providing the financial, technical and scientific assistance required for the rehabilitation of these properties, especially the city of Palmyra. Read more here.

Policy Changes and Updates from Syria

None

International Activity

Syrian heritage nominated for museums and heritage award

The Syrian Heritage Archive has been nominated for the 2018 Museums and Heritage Award.
Read more on Facebook here.

Joint international statement calls for heritage protection

Russia, Iran and Turkey issued a joint statement on Syria following the meeting in Astana on March 16. The statement emphasised the need for further humanitarian aid to Syria and improved preservation for historical heritage sites.
Read more on the EurAsia Daily website here.

Traditional Syrian music will feature at international feastival

The upcoming Malta World Music Festival with include music by “Refugees for Refugees,” a band that draws on the musical heritage of Syria among other countries. See more here.

Syrian culinary traditions alive in New York

Syrian refugees are preserving Syrian cultural heritage at a restaurant in New York. Read more here.

Festival in France to raise awareness of Syrian culture

The Syrian Days Festival in France will take place until the end of April. Events include educational and cultural awareness activities, lectures and a documentary film titled “The Legend of Syria.” See more here.

Beit Ghazale damage documentation

ArcheOrient wrote here about a project to document the Beit Ghazalé house in Aleppo. (French)

News Updates
(Not covered in other sections)

Horizon Magazine wrote here about how people can inadvertently destroy cultural heritage for a second time when cleaning up conflict sites after a war ends.

The Art Newspaper reported here about the World Monument Fund’s new centre to train refugees in stonemasonry skills in order to conserve Syria’s monumental heritage.

TBO here explored the history of several ancient mosaics, originally from the ancient city of Antioch on the border of modern-day Turkey and Syria, buried on the lawn of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg.